Automatic device for operating water seals for gas-mains.



L. SHAW. "AUTOMATIC DEVICE FORVOPEBATING WATER SEALS r03 GAS MAINS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE-24, 1908.

Patented 0015.27, 1908.

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L. SHAW. AUTOMATIC DEVIGE FOB OPERATING' WATER SEALS FOR GAS MAINS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 24, 1906.

Patented Oct. 27, 1908 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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L. SHAW.

AUTOMATIG DEVICE FOR OPERATING WATER SEALS FOR GAS MAINS.

v APPLICATION TILED JUNE 24, 1908.- 902,454,

Patented 0'01]. 27, 1908.

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LEONARD SHAW, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR OPERATING WATER SEALS FOR GAS-MAINS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 27', 1908.

Application filed June 24, 1908. Serial No. 440,125;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD SHAW, of Chicago, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Automatic Device forOperating ater- Seals for Gas-Mains, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, refer ence being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming part of thls specificatlon, 1n which- Figure 1 is aside elevation, partly in section, and largely diagrammatic, of one formof apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar View showing amodification; Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view showing the relay tankson a larger scale; and Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly in section,showing a modified arrangement of the water supply for the main tank.

My invention is primarily designed to provide means for automaticallyeffecting a water-seal in the gas main of a gas-cleaning plant wheneverthe gas pressure in the plant falls below a predetermined minimum forthe purpose of stopping the flow of gas and preventing the drawing ofair into the plant by the gas washers, which would produce an explosivemixture in the plant and cause an explosion in the event of this mixturebecoming ignited from any cause. The invention is, however, applicableto various purposes where the automatic control of the flow of gas canbe obtained by variation of pressure in the system.

The precise nature of my invention will be best understood by referenceto the accompanying drawings, which will now be described, it beingpremised, however, that the invention is susceptible of otherembodiments and may be variously changed in its details of constructionand arrangement within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring first to the form of my invention which is shown in Fig. 1,the numeral 2 designates a main supply tank for the purpose of carryinga constant volume of water. This tank is supplied by a feed-pipe 3,which has an arm 4 extending down within the tank and provided with aregulating valve 5 to the stem of which is connected a float lever 6. Bymeans of this float lever the valve 5 is regulated to maintain asubstantially constant level of water in the main tank 2. This tank isprovided with an overflow box 7 having a discharge or waste pipe 8leading therefrom, the overflow opening from the tank 2 into said boxbeing indicated at 9. Attached to the lower portion of the tank 2 is asiphon, or double siphon, consisting preferably of two inverted U shapedloops of pipe 10 and 11. The top of the first loop 10 is slightly belowthe top of the tank 2, while the top of the second loop is at a lowerlevel. A vent pipe 12 connects the top of the second loop 11 with thedownleg of the first loop 10. The down-leg of the second loop isextended into an overflow funnel 13, and has an adjustable dischargesection 13 at its lower end which is telescopically movable thereon. Theoverflow funnel 13 is inclosed in an overflow and splash box 1 1, havinga waste or discharge pipe 15. The discharge of the funnel 13 isconnected by a water-sealing loop 16 with the water-sealing chamber 17of the gas mam.

18 designates the inlet branch of the gas main by which the gas entersthe water-sealing chamber, and 19 is the discharge arm of said pipeleading from the water-sealing chamber. i

20 and 21 designate two relay tanks, the tank 21 having a closed top andbeing connected by a gas pipe 22 with the gas main 18. The relay tank 20is an open tank in that it is exposed to atmospheric pressure throughthe vent-opening 23. The two tanks are separated by a wall or partition24- having therein a slot or opening 25.

26 is a supply pipe for the tank 20, and which may be convenientlyconnected to the main supply pipe 3. The tank 20 is provided with anoverflow compartment 27 having a water-sealed waste pipe 28 which maydischarge into the main supply tank 2. Placed in the open tank 20 abovethe level of the slot which connects the two tanks is a screen 29, whichwill prevent the entrance of any foreign material which might clog upthe slot 25 or which might pass through into the tank 21. The tank 21has a weir edge 30 for the overflow of water, and to the outside of thetank around the slot formed by this weir edge is attached an overflowbox 31. From the bottom of this overflow box 31 leads an automatic ventpipe 32, which is connected to the top of the first loop 10 of the mainsiphon. Connected to the top of the first loop 10 of the siphon is a jetor suction pipe 33. which leads to a jet siphon 34 having a water-supplypipe and also having a pipe connection 30 with the up-leg of the second.loop 11 of the main siphon.

37 is a gas discharge pipe leading from the connection 36 to the gaspipe 22.

The operation is as follows :-The jet siphon 31 is drawing gas from theupper space of the main siphon continuously, but is unable to exhaustthis space and start the flow in the main siphon so long as theautomatic vent pipe is admitting gas from the closed tank 21. The ventpipe 32 will continue to admit gas into the upper space of the mainsiphon so long as the pressure in the gas main 18 is suflicient to keepthe level of water in the closed tank 21 below the overflow edge 30. Assoon, however, as the pressure of the gas in the main 18 is suflicientlyreduced, the flow of water from the tank 20 through the slot into thetank 21, which takes place under this reduction of pressure, will causethe water in the tank 21 to rise above the level of the overflow edge 30and thus fill the automatic vent pipe 32 with water. As soon as thispipe is closed with water, the jet siphon will exhaust the upper spaceof the main siphon, and this siphon will at once commence to act andwill continue to act until the pressure in the main 18 is againincreased sufliciently to depress the level of water in the tank 21below the overflow edge 30. The pressure, with respect to atmosphericpres sure, at which the water will rise above the overflow edge 30 inthe tank 21 is determined by the elevation of the overflow 27 of theopen tank 20 with respect to the elevation of the overflow edge 30 ofthe tank 21. The

water discharged from the tank 2 by the action of the main siphon flowsinto the funnel 13 at considerable velocity, this velocity beingsuflicient to maintain the proper head of water in the water-seal 17 asshown by dotted lines. As soon, however, as the flow of water from themain siphon stops, the water from this gas seal 17 backs through theseal 16 into the funnel 13 and overflow box 14; and is discharged at thewaste pipe 15. By adjusting the position of the discharge section 13 ofthe siphon, the desired sealing level in the water-seal 17 may beobtained for any velocity of water at the over flow funnel suflicient tomaintain the level.

The float-operated valve in the main supply tank controls the level ofthe supply main siphon. The vent 12 between the two loops of the mainsiphon prevents the pulling of the water from the lower loop when thesupply is cut off after an operation by the admission of gas to the topof the second loop.

317 designates an electric bell, or other signal, whose circuit 37 isarranged to be closed by a mercury contact 37 when the device isoperated. A pipe 37 leading from the jet siphon 34 to the U-tube 38which contains the mercury controls the level of the mercury.

lVhile I have shown the main supply tank 2 as being an open tank, it isobvious that it may be closed and subject to pressure of the gas in thegas cleaning plant. In this case the overflow pipe 8 would be providedwith a water seal.

Fig. 4 shows a modified arrangement of the water supply, in which themain water supply pipe 38 leads into a tank or reservoir 39 havingtherein a distributing box or compartment 10, which is connected by apipe 41 with the main supply tank 2. The pipe 38 is arranged todischarge directly into the open top of the distributing box compartment%O. The tank 39 has an overflow pipe 12, and also a pipe connection -it3leading from its lower portion to the cleaning plant pumps, and formingthe supply for such pumps. The entrance to the pipe connection atl isguarded by a screen 4 1. In this modified arrangement of the watersupply, so long as the main siphon is not in action the water dischargedby the pipe 38 will overflow from the compartment 4L0 into the tank 39,and will pass directly into the pump supply pipe 43. In case of anystoppage, the water will escape by the waste pipe 412. As soon, however,as the main siphon commences to act, the water discharged by the supplypipe 38 will flow directly from the compartn'ient 410 to the main supplytank 2 through the connection tl, and thence to the siphon.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2, the main siphon is omitted, andinstead thereof I provide a diaphragm operated valve 15, which controlsthe flow of water through a main supply pipe 46, which leads directlyinto the overflow funnel 13, which is the same as the overflow funnelfirst described. The stem 17 of the valve 1-5 is connected with thevalve through a flexible stuffing box 48 of the accordion type. Thisstuffing box is secured to the bonnet of the valve 15 at one end and tothe stem 47 at the opposite end, the box being made up of a number ofannular rings of sheet metal secured together, making a flexible boxsimilar to the bellows of an accordion. Secured to the stem 47 is a yoke19 in which is suspended a hollow collapsible diaphragm 50. The interiorof this diaphragm is connected by a pipe 51 with the overflow box 31 ofthe closed relay tank 21 (the arrangement of the relay tanks being thesame as in Fig. 1, and the same parts having the same reference numeralsas in that figure). The interior of the diaphragm valve 50 is alsoconnected by a pipe 52 with a jet siphon or other suitable source ofpartial vacuum 5-3, which may receive its water supply by pipeconnection 5 1 with the main supply pipe 16, and which has a gasdischarge connection 55 with the gas pipe 22 which connects the tank 21with the gas main 18.

The description heretofore given for the arrangement shown inFig. 1 willapply to the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, with the exception that thewater jet siphon 53 instead of exhausting the upper space of the mainsiphon, exhausts the space within the hollow diaphragm and causes saiddia phragm to collapse due to the greater pressure on its exterior whenthe vent pipe 51 is closed by water. The motion of the diaphragm istransmitted to the valve 45, which is preferably a balanced valve,thereby controlling the supply of water to the overflow funnel 12. Theflexible stufiing box 48 prevents any frict-ionon the stem of the valve.and tends to lift the flexible diaphragm and close the balanced valve assoon as the automatic vent pipe 51 is opened. A counterweighted lever 56may be provided to assist in closing the valve 45.

My invention provides a simple and effective means by which a variationin the pressure may be utilized to automatically control the flow ofgas. \Vhile in the system shown the arrangement operates upon adiminution of pressure in the gas main, it is obvious that it may bemade to operate to equal advantage upon a predetermined maximum ofpressure. In such cases the overflows 27 and 30 of the relay tanks aresimply reversed relatively to .ach other, the vent pipe 32 beingconnected to the overflow box 27 instead of to the overflow box 31. Itwill also be obvious that the device may be made to operate in variousways by utilizing differences of pressure in the two relay tanks. Myinvention is also capable of various other modifications. Thus, thearrangement of the several tanks, the form of the siphon, and the mannerof connecting the parts, which, as shown, is largely diagrammatic, maybe varied in each case according to the particular conditions andrequirements.

I claim 1. In apparatus of the character described, a gas conduit ormain having a valve-seating compartment, a valve supply therefor, siphondevices for controlling the valve supply, and means controlled byvariations of the gas pressure for controlling the action of the siphondevices, substantially as described.

2. In apparatus of the character described,

a gas conduit or main having a water-sealing compartment, a watersupplytherefor, means for controlling the flow of water through said supplydependent upon variations of pressure in the system, and means wherebythe water will be automatically discharged from the sealing compartmentwhen the supply thereto is cut off; substantially as described.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a gas conduit or-main havinga water-sealing compartment, a water-inlet therefor terminating in anopenoverflow funnel, a watersupply pipe extending into said funnel, andmeans for controlling the flow of water in said pipe dependent onvariations in the gas pressure; substantially as described.

I. In apparatus of the character described, a gas conduit or main havinga water-sealing compartment, a water-inlet therefor terminating in anopen-overflow portion, a watersupply pipe discharging into said portion,and means for controlling the flow of water in said pipe dependent onvariations in the gas pressure; substantially as described.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a gas conduit or main havinga water-sealing compartment, a water-inlet therefor terminating in anopen-overflow funnel, a watersupply pipe discharging into said funnel,and means for controlling the flow of water in said pipe dependent onvariations in the gas pressure, said pipe having a vertically adjustabledischarge portion; substantially as described.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a gas conduit or main havinga water-sealing compartment, a water-supply connection therefor, twoconnected relay tanks or reservoirs, means whereby variations in thepressure of gas in the system will cause a difference of level in thetwo relay tanks or reservoirs, and means operated by changes in therelative water levels of the two tanks or reservoirs for controlling theflow of water from the water-supply into the watersealing compartment;substantially as described.

7. In apparatus of the character described, a gas conduit or main havinga water-sealing compartment, a water-supply therefor, two connectedrelay tanks or reservoirs, one of said tanks or reservoirs beingconnected with the inlet portion of the gas main or conduit and theother of said reservoirs hav ing a different pressure therein, and meanscontrolled by variations of pressure in the two tanks or reservoirs forcontrolling the flow of water in said compartment; substantially asdescribed.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a gas conduit or main havinga water-sealing compartment, a water-supply therefor, two connectedrelay tanks or reservoirs, one of said tanks or reservoirs beingconnected with the inlet portion of the gas main or conduit, and theother of said reservoirs having a different pressure therein, and meanscontrolled by variations of pressure in the two tanks or reservoirs forcontrolling the flow of water in, said compartment, together with meanswhereby the water in said compartment will be automatically dischargedtherefrom when the supply thereto ceases; substantially as described.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a water-sealing compartment,means for supplying water thereto, two communicating relay tanks orreservoirs each having an overflow opening, one of said tanksorreservoirs being closed and connected with the system controlled by thewaterseal, and the other of said tanks or reservoirs having a differentpressure therein, means for supplying water to said reservoirs, and asiphon device controlled by variations in pressure in the two tanks orreservoirs and controlling the supply of water to the water-seal;substantially as described.

10. In apparatus of the character described, a gas main or conduithaving a water-sealing compartment, water-supply connections therefor, amain supply tank, a siphon connection between said tank and the waterinlet for the sealing compartment, and means operated by variations ofpressure in the gas main for controlling the action of the siphonconnection; substantially as described.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a gas main or conduithaving a water-sealing compartment, a main watersupply tank orreservoir, a siphon device between the main tank or reservoir and thewater-sealing compartment, relay tanks or reservoirs, and meanscontrolled by differences of pressure in the gas system whereby therelay tanks 01' reservoirs control the action of the siphon device;substantially as described.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a main supply tank, asupply connection leading therefrom and including a siphon, and relaytanks controlled by differences of pressure in the gas system controlledby the apparatus for exhausting the siphon and controlling itsoperation; substantially as described.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a main supply tank, asupply connection leading therefrom and including a siphon, and relaytanks controlled by dif ferences of pressure in the gas systemcontrolled by the apparatus for exhausting the siphon and controllingits operation, together with means for maintaining a substantiallyconstant supply of water in the main supply tank; substantially asdescribed.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a main supply tank, asiphoned discharge connection for said tank, consisting of a looped pipeor conduit, means for exhausting the main siphon, and means controlledby differences of pressure in the gas system in which the apparatus isused for controlling the action of the secondary siphon; substantiallyas described.

15. In apparatus of the character described, a main supply tank orreservoir, having a siphoned discharge consisting of a looped pipe, asecondary siphon arranged to exhaust the main siphon, two relay tanks orreservoirs at least one of which is connected with the gas systemcontrolled by the apparatus, and means operated by variations in therelative'levels of the water in the two relay tanks or reservoirs andcontrolled by variations of pressure in the system for controlling theaction of the secondary siphon and thereby of the main siphon;substantially as described.

16. In apparatus of the character described, a main supply tank having asiphoned discharge pipe, consisting of an inverted U-shaped loop whoseupper portion is above the water level in the main supply tank orreservoir, a secondary siphon connected to the upper portion of the mainsiphon, a vent pipe also connected to the upper portion of the mainsiphon, a connection between said vent pipe and the gas systemcontrolled by the apparatus, and a body of water controlled byvariations of pressure in said system for controlling the connectionbetween the vent pipe and the system; substantially as described.

17. In apparatus of the character described, a pressure system having awatersealing compartment, a main water supply tank or reservoir, a pipefor conveying water from the main tank or reservoir to the water-sealingcompartment, said pipe having therein two siphon bends at differentlevels, a siphoned jet for exhausting the upper space of the higherbend, and means controlled by variations of pressure in the system forcontrolling the action of the jet siphon; substantially as described.

18. In apparatus of the character described, a pressure system havingthe combination with a main supply tank or reservoir having an outletpipe provided with a siphon, a device for exhausting the upper space ofthe siphon, and means for controlling the action of said deviceconsisting of two communicating tanks or reservoirs one of which isconnected with the gas system controlled by the apparatus and also withthe upper space of the siphon; substantially as described.

19. In apparatus of the character described, a gas conduit or mainhaving a water-sealing compartment, an inlet pipe therefor having awater-sealing bend and terminating in an open-top funnel, an overflowbox surrounding said funnel, a supply pipe arranged to discharge intothe funnel, and means controlled by variations of pressure in the gasmain or conduit for controlling the flow of Water in the supply pipe;substantially as described.

20. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a gassystem having a valve-seating compartment, of a main supply tanktherefor, a secondary tank having a box or compartment therein arrangedto overflow into the secondary tank, a supply pipe arranged to dischargeinto the box or compartment, and a pipe leading from the secondary tankto a point of Water consumption; substantially as described.

21.111 apparatus of the character described, a gas conduit or mainhaving a valve-seating compartment, a Water outlet therefor terminatingin an overflow portion, a Water supply pipe arranged to discharge intosaid overflow portion, and means for controlling the floW of Water insaid pipe dependent on variations in the gas pressure, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

LEONARD SHAW.

Vitnesses A. J. MoHR, W. J. MELVIN.

